Swollen Dome » NFL

Fred Jackson Signs Two-Year Extension with Buffalo Bills

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 06:10:57 +0000

It’s hard not to like what’s been happening in Buffalo this offseason. There are the obvious moves in free agency to bolster the defense with Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. On Monday, the Bills solidified the running back position by extending Fred Jackson through the 2014 season.

Jackson was a workhorse for the Bills in 2011, averaging 137.6 total yards per game (six 100-yard rushing efforts) in 10 games before a fractured fibula ended his season. He averaged a career-best 5.5 yards per carry and eclipsed 900 rushing yards for the third year. Jackson caught 39 passes out of the backfield.

He admitted in his press conference that he has not yet returned to football conditioning, but that his leg has healed fully.

Hillenmeyer: Football, Violence & “The Hunger Games”

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:46:16 +0000

“Are you not entertained?” “Is this not why you are here?” – Maximus, “Gladiator”

We often talk of sports in terms of violence. Our video games are becoming more and more realistic, and the top properties involve war, gore and, oftentimes, disturbing imagery.

Hell, do you remember the old NHL video games? You know, the one used in the classic film “Swingers” when they lament the loss of head trauma in the new version of the game? Wayne Gretzky gets laid out and they demonstrate the unstoppable move.

Anyway, enough of the walk in film history for now. I’ll expand on those topics in the daily audio/video bits that start next Monday. For now, I thought I’d bring to your attention an article penned by former Chicago Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. He discusses his love of the game, the culture of the game and all of the attention afforded the Saints’ “Bounty-Gate” issue. It’s a unique perspective from the eight-year NFL veteran.

This statement, made toward the end of the article, says it all. “Violence is not just a part of football, it’s a huge part of the allure of football.”

Inside The Swollen Dome: Wednesday 2.22

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:26:03 +0000

Harmon revs up the microphone for another day of ranting. He explores the NBA slate, Danica Patrick’s arrival in the Sprint Cup series, more NFL free agency & combine chatter and some random sporting tidbits. You want that Don Zimmer teddy bear/bobblehead thing, don’t you?

ITSD 2.22

* I referenced a Matt Bowen column in the podcast as an extension of the email I received that deemed the NFL Combine as “the ultimate job interview.” Here’s the link to the article from The Chicago Tribune .

And here is the frightening photo of the upcoming Zim Bear . It’s set the blogosphere on fire since this morning. Sleep with one eye open.

Greg Jennings Out Several Weeks with Sprained Knee

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:18:53 +0000

Greg Jennings left Sunday’s beatdown of the Raiders because of a sprained knee. Per Mike Spoffard of Packers.com, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy advised reporters that Jennings would miss several weeks of action. He added that the team believes that Jennings will be available and ready for the playoff run.

In the interim, you’ll see more of James Jones and Randall Cobb. Cobb caught two passes for 45 yards during the Packers’ demolition of the Raiders.

Packers.com

LeGarrette Blount Runs Through the Packers: The Play of Week 11

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:29:03 +0000

Contract Talks Still Stalled: Will Matt Forte Get Dealt?

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:45:34 +0000

I’ll get into the Carson Palmer trade to Oakland in another post. This is an interesting one with the trade deadline looming in the NFL. Matt Forte and the Bears are at a standstill in contract negotiations. His future in Chicago is most definitely in question.

A Chicago Tribune report (reissued by NFL.com) discusses that fact that at least two teams had internal discussions about acquiring the all-purpose back before the deadline. Of course, given the public chatter about his contract, that’s a pretty easy line to throw out. Forte has spoken of feeling unwanted in Chicago on multiple occasions.

The Bears travel to London this week to face the Buccaneers after thumping the Vikings. The Buccaneers rebounded brilliantly from a Week 5 disaster against the 49ers to defeat Drew Brees and the Saints at home.

The identities of these teams are still in question as we roll toward the midpoint of the season. We know this. Without Forte, life gets a lot more difficult for Jay Cutler.

Forte to get dealt?

All Things Must Pass: Raider Nation Mourns the Loss of Al Davis

admin — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:49:40 +0000

The NFL lost one of its most recognizable faces on Saturday. Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders died at the age of 82. Davis’ meaning and significance in the NFL landscape depends on when you climbed on board the NFL freight train and how much you’ve delved into history. I’ll save the history lesson for another posting. Suffice it to say, there was more to him that his love of the vertical passing game, the controversy of the OAK-LA-OAK moves and the well-chronicled issues with players and coaches, particularly in his final years. It was easy to take shots at his love of speed receivers and the team’s struggles following the Rich Gannon-led Super Bowl run, and nobody who has penned a column or cracked a microphone could plead innocence in that respect.

Interestingly, Davis’ love of speed, speed and more speed finally seemed to have this team turning the corner in 2011. The team obviously has defensive deficiencies, but the myriad speed options are giving opposing coaches nightmares.

I’ll always appreciate the power of the Raiders brand and Davis’ hold of the mark. You can’t go two blocks in Los Angeles after all these years without seeing the Raiders logo. The Raider Image stores do crazy business, and fans are fiercely loyal of the “Silver and Black” colors.

The NFL will not be the same without the tracksuit-wearing owner. RIP, Mr. Davis.

Harmon Joined Bob & Rob on The Fan 105.7 in Baltimore

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:17:38 +0000

Locked, loaded and ready to discuss Week 3 of the NFL and the close-out of the 2011 MLB season. Mike Harmon joins Rob Long and Bob Haynie on Baltimore’s 105.7 The Fan.

Mike Harmon on The Fan 105.7 in Baltimore

Harmon Joins Bob Haynie & Rob Long on CBS Radio 105.7 The Fan Baltimore

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:59:10 +0000

Mike Harmon of SwollenDome.com, FOXSports.com and FOX Sports Radio joins Bob Haynie and Rob Long to discuss Week 1 of the NFL season. Flacco’s rise, Ngata’s dominance & a quick peek around the league.

Mike Harmon on The Fan in Baltimore Week 1

Inside The Swollen Dome: Arms Race & a Big Boot. Harmon Rolls Through Monday Night Football

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:26:45 +0000

Listen to internet radio with The Swollen Dome on Blog Talk Radio

Harmon Week 1 RB Rankings

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:06:44 +0000

Harmon unloads his Week 1 RB Rankings. Some of the usual suspects at the top, but a lot of new entries to consider as you scroll through the list. Can John Fox get his running game going immediately?

GB-NO backs are off of the board.

2011 Kickoff Target Count: Packers and Saints

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:40:13 +0000

Rank	Player	Team	Targets	Receptions	Efficiency	Opponent
1.	Marques Colston	NO	9	6	67%	GB
1.	Devery Henderson	NO	9	6	67%	GB
1.	Darren Sproles	NO	9	7	78%	GB
4.	Greg Jennings	GB	8	7	88%	NO
4.	Robert Meachem	NO	8	5	63%	GB
4.	Jordy Nelson	GB	8	6	75%	NO
7.	Donald Driver	GB	7	4	57%	NO
7.	Jimmy Graham	NO	7	4	57%	GB
9.	Pierre Thomas	NO	5	4	80%	GB
10.	Jermichael Finley	GB	4	3	75%	NO
11.	Randall Cobb	GB	3	2	67%	NO
11.	John Kuhn	GB	2	2	100%	NO
13.	Tom Crabtree	GB	1	1	100%	NO
13.	Ryan Grant	GB	1	1	100%	NO
13.	James Jones	GB	1	1	100%	NO
13.	James Starks	GB	1	0	0%	NO
13.	David Thomas	NO	1	0	0%	GB

NFL Kickoff 2011: Harmon Previews NO-GB

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:21:08 +0000

Harmon breaks down the particulars of NO-GB. Fantasy thoughts and a game prediction.

Seattle TE John Carlson to Undergo Shoulder Surgery, Will Miss Season

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:48:56 +0000

Danny O’Neil of The Seattle Times reported this afternoon that tight end John Carlson of the Seahawks was set to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum and will miss the 2011 season. Carlson had not been available to the team since the first exhibition game.

I was excited about the prospects of a two-tight end set with Carlson and offseason acquisition Zach Miller in this offense. The preseason has not been kind to Tarvaris Jackson, so a heavy reliance on the tight end position seemed very likely. Unfortunately, Carlson was far more likely to be utilized as a blocker, thereby limiting his fantasy potential.

It doesn’t change the thinking of the fantasy world, but we’ll put him on the injury “Watch” list for wherever free agency takes him in 2012.

Jay Cutler on The Score in Chicago

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:41:59 +0000

“Defensively, we carried all year, and looking back at the film offensively, those first four or five games , it’s hard to watch at this point.”

That statement says it all. Cutler doesn’t do many interviews, which made Thursday morning’s appearance on the Mully & Hanley Show mighty intriguing. Listen to his voice inflection when describing his viewing of last year’s tape.

Jay Cutler on The Score

I spoke frequently this offseason about that fact on our FOX Sports Radio show. Everything fit perfectly and fell into place for the Bears to thrust them into the NFC Championship Game. They stayed healthy overall, opponents sustained key injuries during or prior to matchups and the defense dominated. I don’t recall ever discussing a title game participant at NFL Draft time and basically saying — “they need just about everything.”

Things got better in the second half of the season on the O-Line (look at Forte’s production), but there’s still a long, long way to go. For now, Cutler is encouraged by where the unit is at.

Fans and fantasy owners get their first look this weekend when the Bears host the Bills.